ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Merry Pranksters

Okay kiddo, have you ever heard of a group of people who like to have fun and play jokes on others? That's what the Merry Pranksters were all about!

See, back in the 1960s, there was a lot of excitement and change happening in the world. People were questioning the way things had always been done and looking for new, creative ways to live their lives. The Merry Pranksters were a group of people who wanted to be part of that movement.

Led by a guy named Ken Kesey, the Merry Pranksters traveled around the country in a big, colorful bus. They called it the "Further" bus, because they were always looking to go further and experience new things. They would show up at events like music festivals and throw wild parties, often with lots of drugs and music.

But it wasn't just about having a good time. The Merry Pranksters also wanted to use their pranks and antics to spread a message of peace and love. They were against the war that was happening in Vietnam and wanted to encourage people to come together and create a better world.

Now, some people didn't understand the Merry Pranksters and thought they were just a bunch of crazy hippies. But others were inspired by their message and joined in on the fun. Today, the Merry Pranksters are remembered as an important part of the counterculture movement that helped shape the 1960s.